Issue 67 - French flair

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French flair

Joe Bate shops across the Channel to check out the latest shopping opportunities

Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The French famously drink more whisky in a week than they do Cognac in a month. It is perhaps rather fitting then that whisky plays such a major role in two new liquor and tobacco outlets, which opened at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport's new S3 terminal over the summer.

Covering more than 550sq m, the two rather luxurious Pure & Rare outlets, which are located at either end of the terminal, cater predominantly to high-spending business travellers flying to long-haul destinations such as the United States, Hong Kong and China. Consequently, the wine and spirits offer is suitably high-end – think Château Petrus, Château d'Yquem, and Rémy Martin Louis XIII.

As you'd expect, the whisky selection is rather impressive too with more than 200 different lines stocked. Clearly, the shop operator Aelia has forged some good relationships with the major suppliers as several exclusive vintage expression are sold such as a Glenfiddich 1975 at E375 (£262.70), a Caol Ila 1994 at E55 (£38.50), and an Edradour 1995 Burgundy Finish at E65 (£45.50).

The rest of the assortment is well worth browsing with plenty of deluxe blends such as Dewar's Signature (E119/£83.35) and aged malts such as Talisker 30 Year Old (E295/£206.75). There are also some quirky little drams nestling among the big name brands such as a rare Girvan Single Grain at E362 (£253.62), and a 27 Year Old bottling from now mothballed distillery of Port Ellen priced at E165.20 (£115.70...